Search
Clear water at Twin Lagoon with bangka boats  anchored in Coron, Palawan,Philippines

Coron, Philippines a complete travel guide (2020)

An easy complete travel guide to Coron, Philippines. How to get there, what to do, where to stay, where to eat, and nightlife options in Coron.

Coron is a popular destination in the Philippines for many reasons. If you’re like most people traveling to the Philippines, you want to experience the white sand beaches with pristine water. Well, Coron should definitely be on your list when planning a visit to the Philippines.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. In addition to Amazon we are affiliates of other companies. See Affiliate Disclosure for more information.

Travel Guide

If your having trouble figuring out wether to visit Coron or El Nido this is the guide for you!

Geography of Coron

Philippines Coron is part of the Calamian Islands, a group of islands in the North part of Palawan Province in the Philippines. The three largest islands of the Calamian Group are Busuanga, Culion Island, and Coron Island. Many would think Coron Town would be on Coron Island, but it’s actually on the largest island Busuanga.

Island of Coron Philippines map

Francisco B. Reyes Airport on Busuanga Island is the closest airport to Coron Town proper. It’s about 35 minute drive to Coron Town proper.

 Coron Town proper is a small fishing port town on the Southeast half of Busuanga Island. It acts as a centerpiece when visiting the Coron area and has plenty of hotels, hostels, tour boat options, and restaurants. Almost all of the beautiful Youtube videos and Instagram photos you see of Coron are actually of small islands, island beaches, lagoons, and lakes right off the coast of Busuanga Island within a close boat ride from Coron Town. Coron Island itself is largely uninhibited by people with the exception of some local indigenous Tagbawa People. Coron Island is popular for Kayangan Lake, Barracuda Lake, and Twin Lagoon.

Important note about Beaches

There are no immediate swimming beaches in Coron Town, you will have to venture out of Coron Town on Busuanga Island to find a beach you can swim at.

Getting There

Route map of transportation flight paths in Coron area.

By Plane

The quickest way to get to Coron is by plane, with connecting flights to many other cities in the Philippines.

By Ferry

Taking a Ferry is another great option for a slower paced journey to Coron Town proper.

Getting to Coron by Plane

Most people traveling to the Philippines from other countries will likely pass-through Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) the capital and largest city in the Philippines that acts as a central flight hub. There are plenty of flights to Francisco B. Reyes Airport on Busuanga Island. Francisco B. Reyes Airport is around 35 minute drive to Coron Town proper where most people start as a base point when exploring Coron and it’s beautiful surrounding islands.

Flights to Coron

Flights to Coron within the Philippines is relatively straight forward. However, depending on your travel route within the Philippines there may not always be a direct flight. This is because the Philippines is an archipelago of over 7,000 islands and only the most populated cities will have airports with multiple routes to multiple cites.

Major cities with Direct Flights to Coron

Manila (MNL)
Manila (MNL) $45-$90 USD Oneway

Skynet, Cebgo, and Philippines Airlines offer direct flights. Prices will range from

$45-$90 USD Oneway
Cebu (CEB)
Cebu (CEB) $45-$90 USD Oneway

Cebgo and Philippines Airlines offer direct flights.

$45-$90 USD Oneway
Angeles (CRK)
Angeles (CRK) $40-$90 USD Oneway

Philippines Airlines offer direct flights. Prices will range from

$40-$90 USD Oneway

Cities with regional airline direct flights to Coron

El Nido
El Nido $70-$150 USD Oneway

Owned and operated by Airswift Airlines as the only option with direct flights between Coron and El Nido.

$70-$150 USD Oneway

Smaller airports that offer multi-stop connecting flights to Coron

Boracay
Boracay $100-$250 USD Oneway

Caticlan Airport (MPH) and Kalibo International Airport (KLO)

$100-$250 USD Oneway
Davao (DVO)
Davao (DVO) $100-$250 USD Oneway

Davao International Airport

$100-$250 USD Oneway
Puerto Princesa (PPS)
Puerto Princesa (PPS) $100-$250 USD Oneway

Puerto Princesa Airport

$100-$250 USD Oneway
Siargao Island (IAO)
Siargao Island (IAO) $100-$250 USD Oneway

Siargao Airport

$100-$250 USD Oneway
Surigao (SUG)
Surigao (SUG) $100-$250 USD Oneway

Surigao Airport

$100-$250 USD Oneway

Getting to Coron by Ferry Boat

If you are traveling from Manila, El Nido, or Puerto Princesa you have the option of traveling by boat. Prices will range from $22-95 USD oneway depending on your seating options.

  • Malina to Coron – Operated by 2go Travel, travel time 11 hours, Schedule is every Friday evening. Check the website here.
  • El Nido to Coron – Jomalia, Montenegro, and Phimal all operate once per day ferries, travel time is around 5 hours. Montenegro and Phimal do not have websites to purchase online, but you can easily find them in El Nido town or buy tickets online through 12goasia
  • Puerto Princesa – Operated by 2go Travel, travel time 11 hours, Schedule is every Sunday morning. Check the website here.
Ferry Coron, Ferry leaving El Nido to got to Coron
Ferry Coron, Philippines
Inside Jomalia Ferry from El nido to Coron

Find Ferry Tickets to Coron on 12Go Asia

Powered by 12Go system

Find a tour in Coron with Get Your Guide

Accommodations in Coron

There are plenty of options to choose from for hostels, hotels, and resorts for all budgets in Coron. Coron is one of the more well know parts of the Philippines to visit and its popularity will come at a cost, but the Philippines is still very affordable even in Coron.

  • Hostels – $6-$18 USD (Shared Dorm)
  • Hotels – $36-$400 USD 

Bam Bam Hostel

Bam Bam Hostel Coron

If your on a shoestring budget but want with a hostel with good reviews, clean, and has privacy curtains on their dorm beds.

Hop Hostel

Rooftop Sunset View Hop Hostel Coron Palawan

Mid-range hostel with excellent beds, clean facility with multiple areas to chill hang out and meet new people. Restaurant and Rooftop bar onsite.

Two Seasons Bayside

Two Seasons Bayside Hotel Coron Philippines

If you’re looking for a more luxury type resort. Two Season is about as swanky as you can get in the Coron Town with rooms looking the bay.

Getting Around Coron

Tricucle Philippines Coron Guide

Tricycles

The most widely used mode of transportation in Coron Town Proper. Expect to pay $0.20-2.00 USD (10-100 PHP) depending on how far you are going in the Coron Town Proper

Scooter and Tricycle in El Nido near Outpost Hostel

Scooter Rentals

Another way to get around is by renting a scooter and exploring the island. Expect to pay around $10 USD (500 PHP) per day, but if you are renting for longer you may be able to negotiate a cheap rate.

Jeepney Coron Guide Philippines

Jeepney

 You will find these more being used as a local form of transportation to get between other towns on the island of Busuanga. Cost $0.20-1.62 USD (10-80 PHP) depending on the length of the journey

Shuttle Van Coron Guide

Shuttle Van

The most convenient way to get from the Busuanga Airport to Coron Town proper, the ride takes around 40 mins and cost around $3 USD (150 PHP)

Beaches

Coron is a small fishing town situated around a port so there are no immediate beaches in the town proper. The closest beach you will find is Cabo Beach toward the East outside of the town proper. The better beaches on the island are even further away, but the beaches you will find on the island hopping tours will be some of the most beautiful in the world.

Activites

  • Island Hopping
  • Scuba Diving
  • Hike Mt. Tapyas
  • Rent a scooter and explore the island
  • Check out a waterfall
  • Maquinit Hot Springs

Food

You will find a good range of restaurants to choose from. Along with local cuisines, you can find Italian, western, vegan, Chinese, Seafood, Japanese, and BBQ. The majority of these restaurants will be found on or around Real St. So if you are staying anywhere near Coron Town proper you will have plenty to choose from within a couple of blocks radius.

Nightlife

The nightlife in Coron is generally small and seems to change quite often. Some of the Hostels like Hop Hostel will host their own party nights that will generally shut down around midnight so guests staying there can get some sleep. After midnight there are a handful of bars that stay open past midnight depending on how busy it is. From the time I had researched to the time I had arrived most of the nightlife options were already outdated, closed, or completely dead. Coco Bar is a nice tiki theme bar with good cocktails that we would frequent. Arkham Club was the go-to spot for locals and tourists looking to party and dance, at the time of my visit in 2019. So my best advice is to see what is hopping when you get there, if you are staying at a hostel there will be other travelers there that have ventured out to see what are the happening spots.

Table of Contents

Load WordPress Sites in as fast as 37ms!
Scroll to Top

This site uses cookies to help with creating a better user experience. By using this website you agree to our privacy policy and terms & conditions.